Date: March 7, 2005
Source: University Communications News Releases

MADISON - One of the foremost authorities on the understanding of alien life
and planetary evolution, David Grinspoon, will speak in Madison at a special
lecture on Tuesday, March 8.

Grinspoon's lecture, "How Lonely is Our Planet? New Results in the Quest for
Alien Life," will focus on his research on the studies of the potential of
extraterrestrial life as a mirror for human evolution, history and universal
existence.

The 7 p.m. lecture, to be held at UW Space Place, 1605 S. Park St., is free
and open to the public.

With the recent news of methane gas and frozen water on Mars, Grinspoon's
lecture will help audiences view the accumulating evidence of the potential for
life from a scientific perspective.

Grinspoon is touring the country to discuss his new best seller, "Lonely
Planets: the Natural Philosophy of Alien Life." With a very creative, in-depth
and accessible style, he shares an authoritative scientific narrative of cosmic
evolution and human existence. He discusses how scientists and nonscientists
alike perceive the potential for extraterrestrial life with preconceptions that
place limitations on our grasp of science and evolution.

Grinspoon is a well-known planetary scientist with the Southwest Research
Institute in Boulder, Colo. He previously has speculated on topics ranging from
which planets are best for harboring life to levels of advancement civilizations
must undergo in order to manage their biosphere.
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- Terry Devitt, (608) 262-8282, trdevitt@wisc.edu